The pace of new restaurant and retail openings is starting to pick up after a slow spring. It’s enough that I need to split this monthly column into two separate posts. Stay tuned on Friday for a very long list of new restaurants. In the meantime, here’s a few new retail and entertainment options to look forward to.

Bowling and family entertainment center Stars and Strikes will open a new location on Highway 9 just into Sandy Springs. Look for them south of the river near Dunwoody Place. Expect a November 2013 opening.

And as reported first on this blog, Alpharetta will hear plans next month for a bowling alley near North Point Mall. I should remind readers that this is by no means a done deal. The city’s Planning Commission will hear their case before going to City Council.

AMC’s new theater at the mall is coming along. Drive by the back of the mall if you’re in the area. And I keep hearing rumors that a restaurant may joint the theater at some point. And rounding out the entertainment options is Top Golf. The new facility is clearing land along West Side Parkway. No opening date has been announced but I would imagine it’ll be into next year.

Retail Charity – Two local charities have plans for new retail stores, and I’m not talking thrift stores here. The first is south Forsyth-based No Longer Bound. This charity treats men suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. They plan to open a hand-crafted furniture store called The Boutique by No Longer Bound. Look for them to open very soon at 1790 Peachtree Parkway.

The Drake House is a Roswell-based charity that provides transitional housing to homeless women and their families. The charity operates a women’s boutique called The Drake Closet that sells new and used ladies clothes and accessories. They plan to open a second location in downtown Alpharetta on Old Roswell Street behind Smokejack.

Muse Salon and Spa has plans to leave Alpharetta for fancy new digs in Johns Creek. They’re in the process of converting the former Dolce Vita restaurant at 11705 Medlock Bridge Road. And a little up the road into south Forsyth you’ll soon find a new location of Spa Sydell. They’re taking over the former Sandra Gane space.

And keep an eye on things in Forsyth County. The Collection (fka The Avenue) will see a few new faces. Women’s boutique Altar’d State will soon open here. Plans for a small hotel are still in the works. And also look for a new Racetrac convenience store to begin construction across the street.

Forsyth’s third Wal-Mart should begin construction soon near Target on Peachtree Parkway. Unfortunately Forsyth’s proposed location of Costco Wholesale appears to be dead according to news reports. I’ve heard they are looking at other locations. I’ve also learned that the former Up The Creek restaurant building in Cumming will be demolished to make way for a small four unit shopping center.

Growler wars - They continue unabated. Blind Murphy is running with their recent victory at City Hall. They’ve started selling flights of beer to be consumed at their store. But competitors are pouring into the market. Draft Beer Market is very close to opening on Jones Bridge Road in Johns Creek. They will have a staggering 60 taps of beer. And Roswell’s Ale Yeah is moving their location up the street to be a little closer to the action. Meanwhile in Milton at least two gas stations are now filling growlers, further turning this business into a commodity.

And finally, a battle might be looming in downtown Alpharetta. The city is considering limits on what types of businesses can open on the ground floor of buildings in the historic district. This one will be fun to watch.

No related posts.

3 Responses to “Alpharetta Retail News – July 2013”

Last year, when I worked in the Mall, there were rumors of a restaurant going inside the mall by the theatre. Upper level between the theatre and Von Maur. That corner has been empty for at least 5 years.